How to Use Zinc & Vitamin B2 for Oily Skin

Treat oily skin with zinc and vitamin B2. (Image: woman's side view washing face image by Jane September from Fotolia.com)

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) states that zinc is integral for a healthy immune system. Administered topically or orally, according to WebMd, zinc helps tame oil production in the face, which may help to prevent acne and clear up acne faster. Sometimes acne is a sign of a zinc deficiency.

Vitamin B2, or riboflavin, is an essential vitamin used to treat, among other conditions, various skin disorders, including dermatitis, eczema and acne. Vitamin B2 is administered orally.

Things You'll Need

Skin care products with zinc

Lean meats

Legumes

Eggs

Dairy products

Peanuts

Peanut butter

Green leafy vegetables

Zinc vitamin supplements

Vitamin B2 supplements

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Use Topical Products with Zinc

Cleanse an oily face with a gentle oil-free product that contains at least 2% zinc or zinc oxide.

Sephora Collection's Cleansing Water is gentle, and the addition of zinc halts excess oil production. DERMAdoctor's Born To Be Mild Medicated cleanser is effective on both the face and body.

Cleanse with an oil-free product (Image: woman image by Jarek Miarka from Fotolia.com)

Apply a toner or astringent to further reduce oiliness. Givenchy's Tone It True Mattifying Lotion contains a zinc concentrate to remove excess oil.

Protect your face from the sun by using a sunscreen with at least 10% zinc or zinc oxide and SPF 15. Boscia's Illuminating UVA/UVB SPF 30 is oil-free and protects using zinc oxide and titanium dioxide. Korres' Watermelon Sunscreen SPF 30 comes in a convenient stick, while some inexpensive alternatives are Neutrogena, Blue Lizard and Nature's Gate.

Increase Intake of Zinc and Vitamin B2

Eat foods rich in zinc and vitamin B2 to help with oily skin. Zinc is found in high-protein foods, says the NIH, such as beef, pork, lamb, and the dark meat of chicken, as well as peanuts, peanut butter, and legumes.

Vitamin B2 is found in lean meats, eggs, legumes, nuts, green leafy vegetables, and dairy products. Sometimes breads and cereal are fortified with vitamin B2. Store these foods in a dark place as light can destroy the vitamin.

Peanuts are a good source of zinc and vitamin B2 (Image: Roasted and salted peanuts image by palmer530 from Fotolia.com)

Take zinc and vitamin B2 dietary supplements, which can be found in drugstores, supermarkets, or health food stores. However, certain foods, such as those high in fiber, like bran or whole grain breads and cereals, as well as those containing phosphorus, like milk and poultry, prevent the body from absorbing zinc properly, according to the Mayo Clinic. Also, zinc shouldn't be taken with other supplements, such as copper or phosphorus.

Vitamin B2 supplements rarely result in allergic reaction or side effects.

Zinc and Vitamin B2 supplements are widely available (Image: Daily Vitamins and Minerals image by LynWatanabe.com from Fotolia.com)

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Talk to your doctor about whether or not you're getting enough zinc and vitamin B2, if you need supplements, and what the possible side effects and interactions might be.

Tips & Warnings

Don't take more than the Recommended Daily Allowance (RDA) of zinc. According to the NIH, the RDA for zinc for those 19 years or older is 11 mg for men, 8 mg for women, 11 mg for pregnant women and 12 mg for lactating women. Excessive zinc intake can result in zinc toxicity, which may cause nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and headaches.

While the RDA for vitamin B2 for those 19 and older is 1.3 mg for men and 1.1 mg for women. No toxic or adverse effects from excess vitamin B2 are known.